Barcelona
Barcelona Airports: Which One to Use and How to Get In
Which airport do you fly to for Barcelona?
Barcelona–El Prat Airport is the main choice for Barcelona, and the airport bus runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with Sants railway station as the easiest rail anchor in the city. Girona–Costa Brava Airport and Reus Airport come up mainly for specific low-cost or regional routes, not as the default Barcelona airport.
How many airports serve Barcelona?
Three airports matter for Barcelona: Barcelona–El Prat Airport is the central one, Girona–Costa Brava Airport is the secondary option, and Reus Airport is the farthest of the three. They are separate airports, not terminals of one place.
How do you get from Barcelona Airport to the city centre?
A one-way ticket costs €12.25, or €18.50 for a return ticket valid for 15 days. The buses run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with daytime departures every 5-20 minutes and night service every 30 minutes.
Use the airport train for Sants, the metro for a direct city stop, Aerobús for a fast fixed bus, or a taxi late at night and with luggage. The best choice depends on where in Barcelona you are going.
How do you get between Barcelona Airport terminals?
There are 2 terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. A free shuttle bus connects them, and the walk between them is about 30 min, or about 10 min on foot from Barcelona–El Prat Airport to Terminal 2.
Check which terminal your airline uses before you arrive. Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are separate, so the shuttle is the practical way to move between them.
Which airports are close to Barcelona?
Girona–Costa Brava Airport is about 88 km from Barcelona, so it is not close in city terms, but it can work well if your flight lands there. Reus Airport is about 78 km away and matters more for Tarragona-side trips than for Barcelona itself.
Girona is the better alternative for some direct routes and has a solid hotel base nearby; Reus has fewer direct links, so the route matters more than the airport name.
Which airports have direct flights to Barcelona?
Barcelona–El Prat Airport has the widest network. Girona–Costa Brava Airport has direct London Gatwick flights three times a week and Edinburgh on Sundays; Reus Airport has fewer direct links, so the route matters more than the airport name.
For most trips, direct routes matter more than the airport label in Spain. Use the flight that gets you in nonstop, then decide whether the arrival airport fits your transfer plan.
Where to stay in Barcelona
Hotels in Barcelona that fit this guide:
- Catalonia Magdalenes (4-star · rated 10/10 · 2555 reviews) — A 4-star stay in the Gothic Quarter on Magdalenes, with a terrace, hot tub/Jacuzzi, and spa services for airport-to-city days.
- ME Barcelona (5-star · rated 10/10 · 2442 reviews) — A 5-star hotel on Carrer de Casp in a central, walkable area works well for quick access plans, supported by a concierge and shuttle.
- Praktik Èssens (3-star · rated 10/10 · 2029 reviews) — A 3-star base in Eixample at Passeig de Gràcia suits design-focused travelers, with a terrace, concierge, and family rooms.
- Hostal Sant Pau (rated 10/10 · 1602 reviews) — A small, non-smoking stay near Hospital de Sant Pau in Guinardó fits travelers wanting a calmer base, with limited-hours front desk and terrace.
- Olivia Balmes Hotel (4-star · rated 10/10 · 2488 reviews) — A 4-star hotel in Eixample on Balmes suits people who plan to move on foot, with a pool, terrace, and concierge service.
- Sofitel Barcelona Skipper (5-star · rated 9.6/10 · 1654 reviews) — A 5-star option on Avenida Litoral fits airport arrivals that want beach and marina energy nearby, with air conditioning and a pool.
- Yurbban Ramblas Boutique Hotel (3-star · rated 10/10 · 1831 reviews) — A 3-star choice on Las Ramblas suits travelers who like street life as part of the trip, with dining on-site and a terrace.
- Casa Abamita (rated 10/10 · 1278 reviews) — Casa Abamita is a practical base on Calle Ausias March for guests who want comfort near main sights, with shared lounge and free internet.
- The Corner Hotel (4-star · rated 10/10 · 1788 reviews) — The Corner Hotel in Eixample on Mallorca 178 suits travelers wanting quiet rooms, backed by air conditioning, pool access, and wheelchair accessibility.
- The One Barcelona GL (5-star · rated 9.6/10 · 1453 reviews) — A 5-star stay around Carrer de Provença in Eixample works for people seeking a residential feel, with a sauna and swimming pool.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Barcelona train station to the airport?
From Sants railway station, Barcelona–El Prat Airport is about 13 km by road, or about 15 min by car. Sants is the city’s main rail anchor for airport trips, so it is the cleanest place to start if you are connecting by train.
What are the major airports in mainland Spain?
For a Barcelona trip, the airports to know are Barcelona–El Prat Airport, Girona–Costa Brava Airport, and Reus Airport. Barcelona–El Prat is the main one; Girona and Reus are the smaller alternatives used for specific routes.
How far is Barcelona Airport from the city centre?
Barcelona–El Prat Airport is close to the city for an international airport, but not walkable for most people. From Barcelona, the airport bus runs through the day and night, and the rail link from Sants is the key city connection.
Does Vueling fly from Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 at Barcelona Airport?
Vueling uses Barcelona Airport, which has 2 terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The airline’s exact terminal depends on the flight, so you need to go to the terminal shown on your booking and boarding pass.
How much is a taxi from Barcelona Airport to the city centre?
The fare is not fixed in the information here. What matters is that a taxi makes most sense late at night or when you have heavy luggage, while the airport bus is the simpler set-price option.
Is Girona close to Barcelona?
Girona–Costa Brava Airport is about 88 km from Barcelona, so it is not close in city terms. It works as a Barcelona-area airport only when your route fits, especially for some direct flights.
What to do if you want the simplest Barcelona airport choice
For most travellers, choose Barcelona–El Prat Airport first; use Terminal 1 or Terminal 2 as needed. Pick Girona or Reus only when the route fits better, and treat Sants as the city rail anchor.
